Matthew D. Cosgro in 2002

Builder: Transit Supply Co.
Description: Twin City Class H-6, 'Gate Car'
Secondary Use: None
Type: City and Suburban Streetcars
Year: 1907
Retired from Service: 1953
Acquired by the Museum: 1953
Note: No. 1267 is in operating condition and is used in restricted service.
Fund: 764

Twin City Rapid Transit Co. 1267

From Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

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History

Twin City Rapid Transit (also known as Twin City Lines) was formed in 1891 in the merger of the streetcar systems of Minneapolis and St. Paul. TCRT decided that the various streetcar builders could not produce cars to withstand Minnesota’s severe winters. So, between 1898 and 1917, Twin City Rapid Transit’s own shops, using the name Transit Supply Co., built 1140 cars for its fleet, producing the nation’s largest home-built trolley fleet. TCRT began acquiring new PCC cars in 1945, but older cars continued operating. In the early 1950s, the company decided to rapidly convert to buses. The last streetcar ran in 1954. Twin City Rapid Transit built No. 1267 at its Snellings Shops in St. Paul in 1907. No. 1267 is a “gate car” which was a prominent type of car in Minneapolis and St. Paul. It takes its name from folding wire gates instead of doors where passengers entered at the rear of the car. The company later replaced the gates with doors on most of its “gate cars” but not on No. 1267. No. 1267 is one of the widest cars ever built for street use, measuring 9 ft. 2 ½ in. across the sills. In 1928, TCRT rebuilt No. 1267 with roller bearing trucks, electric heat and a narrow passenger exit door at the front of the car in place of a high level motorman’s access door. The car ran on a variety of lines. After 1946, it ran on the University of Minnesota inter-campus route. Some of the “gate cars” continued operating until Twin City ended streetcar service. Twin City Rapid Transit donated No. 1267 to Seashore in 1953, the day after its last run. No. 1267 was Seashore’s first car acquired under the National Collection strategy. Between 1987 and 1993, Seashore completely restored the car to its 1915 appearance, including removing the front passenger exit and reinstalling the motorman’s door. Museum member Doug Anderson sponsored and did much of the work on this restoration. Supporters included former President George H. W. Bush. After the restoration, Seashore used the car in regular service. Unfortunately, water penetrated the new wood siding which had to be replaced later. In 2016, Seashore restored the car’s gate mechanism.

Technical Information

Seats: 48
Control: K-43F2
Brakes: Straight Air
Compressor: CP-21

Trucks

Number: 2
Manufacturer: TCL
Model: 9RB

Motor

Number: 4
Manufacturer: General Electric
Model: 203

Weight and Dimensions

Length: 46’
Width: 9’ 2.00"
Height: 12’
Weight: 45006 lbs.

Additional Images

Katie Orlando on 05/03/19

Matthew D. Cosgro in 2002

Matthew D. Cosgro in 2002

Kenyon F. Karl on 09/10/16

Dave Mewhinney at newdavesrailpix.com